After consulting with doctors and family members, Comrie will undergo minor hip surgery on February 5th in Vail, Colorado and will then return to California for his rehabilitation. He is expected to make a full recovery and return to the ice in 3 to 4 months. Comrie, who has been out of the line-up this past week, also had to miss the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game, held Wednesday in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

“This is very unfortunate for Eric and our team,” said Tory. “However, this is the best option to ensure that Eric has no further complications and that he can return to play 100% healthy. Ultimately, it’s the best decision for both Eric’s health and for our hockey club now and for the future.”

“I’m really disappointed to be missing the rest of the season, but I know this is what’s best for me long term,” explained Comrie. “It’s a minor procedure and I expect to be back on the ice as quickly as possible. But, more than anything, I’m sad to be leaving my teammates, who’ve become like family.”

Comrie, the 6’1 170-pound netminder from Newport Beach, California, is currently in the midst of his second season with the Americans. As a starter this season, Comrie has appeared in 37 games, compiling a 20-14-1-2 record along with a 2.62 goals against average and a 0.915 save percentage. Comrie currently ranks inside the top-10 among WHL goaltenders with a minimum of 840 minutes played in all four categories. In less than two full seasons, the young netminder also already ranks 10th all-time among Tri-City goaltenders in games and minutes played (68; 3,841), 7th all-time in wins (39), 5th in shutouts (5) and his current career goals against average (2.64) and save percentage (0.909) would place him 3rd all-time in both categories.

In addition to his already solid WHL career, Comrie also added a gold medal to his list of accomplishments after helping guide Team Canada’s U-18 team to its fifth consecutive first-place finish at the 2012 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament this past summer in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Comrie was also recently named the #2-ranked Draft-eligible goaltender in North America in Central Scouting’s Mid-Term rankings. He was also the only goaltender listed in the top-30 of NHL Draft eligible players, according to NHL.com